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Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings: UCLA hits rock bottom as Oregon, ASU surge

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Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings: UCLA hits rock bottom as Oregon, ASU surge


Despite a surprising loss to Stanford during the first week of conference play, Arizona still has the resume and the talent to remain at the top of the Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings.

But Oregon and Arizona State, who are tied for first place in the conference standings at 4-0, are giving chase.

That can’t be said for traditional power UCLA, a program that is reeling and has just one win over the last six weeks.

Here’s our latest Pac-12 men’s basketball power rankings.

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1. Arizona

Last week: 1

What to know: The Wildcats looked vulnerable after losing three times in five games — including to Stanford — but they bounced back in a big way as they walloped both Colorado and Utah over the weekend to get back on track.

2. Oregon

Last week: 5

What to know: The shorthanded Ducks are 8-1 since the start of December and are 4-0 in games decided by five points or less during that stretch. Now they’re on the verge of getting N’Faly Dante back. The 7-0 all-conference center hasn’t played since the season-opener when he had 16 points and 21 rebounds against Georgia.

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3. Arizona State

Last week: 10

What to know: The surprising Sun Devils are off to great start for a team that entered conference play at 6-5 and on a three-game losing streak. But ASU has shown an ability to win the close games. Its victories against Stanford, California and Colorado have come by a combined eight points.

4. Colorado

Last week: 2

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What to know: The Buffaloes are coming off a tough road trip to the desert where they were swept by Arizona and Arizona State. Colorado has had injury issues recently, with star freshman Cody Williams out the last seven games with a wrist injury. Guard Julian Hammond III didn’t play against ASU with a back issue, though forward Tristan da Silva returned Saturday from his three-game absence due to an ankle injury.

5. Utah

Last week: 3

What to know: The Utes were the hottest team in the conference last week as they took an eight-game winning streak to the desert. But humbling losses to Arizona State (82-70) and Arizona (92-73) have knocked Utah down a couple pegs. Star big man Branden Carlson scored just seven points against the Wildcats despite coming in with an 18.5-point average.

6. Stanford

Last week: 11

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What to know: The Cardinal have the biggest upset of the conference season thus far with their 100-82 victory against Arizona on New Year’s Eve Day. They followed with a win against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 3. Stanford’s gonna be a tough out for every team in the conference this season.

7. Southern California

Last week: 7

What to know: Have the Trojans finally flipped the switch? After going 1-5 in December, including losses to Oregon and Oregon State to start conference play, USC swept its home series against California and Stanford to get its record back over .500 at 8-7.

8. Washington

Last week: 4

What to know: The Huskies are the best of the five 1-3 teams in the conference, and certainly the most talented (unless UCLA’s collection of future stars start playing to their potential). Their three Pac-12 losses were by a combined 11 points to 11-4 Colorado, 11-4 Utah and 12-3 Oregon.

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9. Washington State

Last week: 6

What to know: The Cougars have built a nice overall record (10-5) thanks to early games against inferior teams. Now they’ve lost four of their last six with their only conference win coming against Oregon State.

10. Oregon State

Last week: 9

What to know: The Beavers have to figure out a way to finish off close games. In their three Pac-12 losses, they’ve been beaten by an average of seven points and with chances to flip the outcome late in each game. Their one victory was a 14-point win against USC. 

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11. California

Last week: 12

What to know: The Golden Bears ended their 19-game Pac-12 losing streak in style on Saturday, beating UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, the most iconic home court in the conference. Yes, the Bruins are having a bad season, but it was still a win that California desperately needed just to put the losing streak in the past.

12. UCLA

Last week: 8

What to know: The Bruins have hit rock bottom. They’ve lost four straight at home for the first time in 21 years, and are 1-7 since the start of December. Fifth-year coach Mick Cronin can’t seem to get his seven freshmen and eight newcomers to play together.

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Follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com.





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Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State Betting Odds: Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff

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Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State Betting Odds: Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff


The Oregon Ducks will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The Buckeyes handled business in the first round of the College Football Playoff and will now face the Ducks in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT on New Year’s Day.

What do the Vegas oddsmakers say about the upcoming matchup between Oregon and Ohio State?

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel carries the ball as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturda

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel carries the ball as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes will play in the Rose Bowl for a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Buckeyes are coming off a 42-17 dismantling of the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the CFP. That performance was enough for Ohio State to now be a slight favorite over the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks. 

It’s nearly a pick ‘em, but Ohio State is a one-point favorite as of now. The over/under is set at 53.5 points. 

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The odds makers have loved the Buckeyes all season, and they still do. Not only is Ohio State a slight favorite over Oregon, they also have better odds to win the national championship.

Texas is the overall favorite to win the national championship with odds of +340. Ohio State has the second best odds of +380. Oregon is third with odds of +400. 

MORE: Oregon Ducks Land Transfer Defensive Lineman Bear Alexander From USC

MORE: Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert Closing In On Peyton Manning’s NFL Record

MORE: How Oregon Ducks Landed Transfer Portal Star Isaiah World Over Texas A&M Aggies

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Oregon and Ohio State treated the country to one of the best games of the 2024 regular season when they played in October. The Ducks outlasted the Buckeyes in a 32-31 thriller at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. 

The Ducks were underdogs in that game too, but prevailed and won outright. Now, the two will play against each other in the “Granddaddy of Them All” in the Rose Bowl. The winner will play the winner of the Texas-Arizona State game in the semi-finals.

What are the other games in the quarterfinal slate?

Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) and linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) tackle Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back

Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) and linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) tackle Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price (24) during the second half of a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend. Notre Dame defeated Indiana 27-17. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The quarterfinals in the College Football Playoff will kick off when No. 3 Boise State plays No. 6 Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl at 4:30 p.m. PT on Dec. 31. 

The New Year will start off with No. 5 Texas and No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl at 10 a.m. PT on Jan. 1.

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Following the Rose Bowl between Oregon and Ohio State to finish off the quarterfinals is No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl at 5:45 p.m. PT on New Year’s Day.

MORE: Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert Injured, Breaks NFL Record In Win Over Denver

MORE: Why Oregon Ducks Five-Star Receiver Dallas Wilson To Flip To Florida Gators?

MORE: San Francisco 49ers To Draft Oregon Ducks Quarterback Dillon Gabriel? Brock Purdy Contract

MORE: Oregon Ducks Fans Color To Wear In Rose Bowl Vs. Ohio State Or Tennessee in Pasadena

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Updated Oregon Ducks national championship odds after 1st round of College Football Playoff

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Updated Oregon Ducks national championship odds after 1st round of College Football Playoff


After years of talk and anticipation, the 12-team College Football Playoff is finally here, and it brought a lot of intrigue and entertainment over the weekend.

We got big wins for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions, Texas Longhorns, and Ohio State Buckeyes, while others like the Indiana Hoosiers, SMU Mustangs, Clemson Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers saw their seasons come to an end short of the national championship.

While this first round of action whittled down the playing field to eight teams, it also gave us a good look at what some of these teams are capable of in the postseason environment.

Which ones are capable of winning the national championship, though?

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That’s a different question. There are still some heavyweights in the conversation, but also some long shots who may have stated their case to be considered as a longshot option.

Let’s take a look at the latest numbers, according to BetMGM.

Here’s a look at the full odds:

We will take a look at the full odds again next week after the quarterfinal games are played.



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Former Oregon football signee Dallas Wilson visits Florida and gets full-court recruiting press

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Former Oregon football signee Dallas Wilson visits Florida and gets full-court recruiting press


GAINESVILLE. Fla. — Former Oregon signee Dallas Wilson, a five-star receiver from Tampa, is getting the full-court press from Florida.

A day after Wilson watched the Gators beat Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, he made an official visit to Gainesville and was given a front-row seat to Florida’s basketball game against North Florida.

Wilson was decked out in royal blue — shorts, beanie and Jordan-brand basketball shoes — as he watched the Gators (12-0) remain undefeated in convincing fashion, 99-45.

The 6-foot-3 Wilson, who caught 41 passes for 677 yards and nine touchdowns at Tampa Bay Tech this season, initially committed to Oregon in January 2023. But his mother died later that year and now his grandmother has an illness that contributed to his decision to ask for his release from the Ducks and play closer to home.

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Wilson would be another solid piece for Florida coach Billy Napier, whose recruiting class vaulted roughly 40 spots to No. 11 in 247 Sports’ final composite rankings.

The Gators already added former UCLA receiver J. Michael Sturdivant in the transfer portal. He joined an incoming recruiting class that includes receivers Vernell Brown III, Naeshaun Montgomery and Muizz Tounkara.

Wilson’s agent is Vernell Brown Jr., who played for the Gators and previously worked under Napier in a player development role.

Former Oregon football signee Dallas Wilson attends a Florida basketball gamer against North Florida Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Wilson, a five-star receiver is considering signing with the Florida. Credit: AP/Alan Youngblood

Florida must replace starting receivers Chimere Dike and Elijhah Badger, both seniors who transferred to Gainesville last season. Dike caught a team-high 42 passes for 783 yards and two touchdowns. Badger finished with 39 receptions for 806 yards and four scores.

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